Syrian troops had earlier made significant gains in the strategic town of Yabroud. The army backed by the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, drove out militants from the town, which is located in the strategic region of Qalamoun.

In addition, the Syrian army has managed to regain full control of the famous medieval castle of Qal’at al-Hisn and its surrounding areas near the western city of Homs.

Since turmoil erupted in Syria three years ago, over 130,000 people have reportedly died and millions of others have been displaced.